The work on the building is done. In 1921 J.B. Sloan built a gas station in Tuttle. The Tuttle Historical Society gutted it and put in new windows, a new roof, new electrical and plumbing, and modern HVAC. The Society calls that Phase 1 and says it's complete. The collection is a different story. In the Society's own words, "we're not finished yet," and it is "now working to fill the building with the rich history of Tuttle and the surrounding area."
So the museum's exhibits aren't fixed yet. Tuttle's history is being gathered right now, one donated photo, uniform and family story at a time. Whatever local households bring in over the next few years will decide which version of the town ends up on the walls.
A roadside stop with a second job
The Society was founded in 2019 with the goal of finding a building that could hold a museum. It worked with the City of Tuttle to save the Old Station, which was in serious disrepair at the time. Fundraising and community support paid for the restoration. The Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit supported by volunteers, members and donations.
Its own description of the building fits the town well:
"What was once a familiar roadside stop is now becoming a place where our town's stories can live on."
That line is from the Society's home page, which also calls the museum "a work in progress" and says the Society is "always looking for historical items, photographs, and stories that help tell Tuttle's story." The same page opens with photos of the 1902 train depot, an early lumber yard on Bond Street and Main Street in 1903 and 1904.
What the Society has already pieced together
The online archive shows the stories the Society has been working on. Through 2026 it has published local history articles on its website, and these are the raw material the museum draws on. They're research pieces, so not every story below necessarily has its own display in the building.
| Story | Era | What the Society has documented |
|---|---|---|
| Silver City | 1878 onward | Montford Johnson, born to a Chickasaw mother, moved to the Silver City area in 1878 and started a large ranch with relatives, including the Bonds and Campbells |
| James Harley Tuttle Jr. | Born 1859 | Left Grayson County, Texas, at 17 to herd cattle on the Washita River in Indian Territory |
| William "Caddo Bill" Williams | 1839–1913 | One of the most influential early cattlemen in the Silver City area |
| Tuttle History | 1901 | The Perry-Dowden Land Company bought Chickasaw land from the Colbert family for $1,500 to plat the townsite, and lots sold for $25 to $40 |
| Bank of Tuttle | 1903 | Organized by Perry and Dowden with $5,000 in starting capital |
| Peoples Drug Store | 1909 | Druggists J.B. Dabony and R.A. Davis added an ice cream parlor with fountain drinks |
| Richard Broadhurst | 1884–1985 | Came to Tuttle, Indian Territory, with his father Samuel in 1906 and lived past 100 |
| Henry and Helen Tracy | 1890s–1991 | Tuttle educators with 45 years of teaching between them |
| The Schrocks of Tuttle | Late 1800s onward | The family behind the name of Schrock Park, which was dedicated in 1976 |
| Bowers Store | Born 1899 | Eula Copp Bowers, born in Indian Territory near Newcastle, lived 101 years |
The archive is still growing. One of the newest pieces is "15 Flags Over Tuttle," a multi-chapter history that Kenneth Bomgardner researched and wrote for the Society, dated August 17, 2026. It traces the flags and governments that have claimed the land under modern Tuttle, from pre-Columbian times through statehood. The Society also shared a series of citizen profiles, including one on the Chickasaw women whose families helped build the town.
Look at where these stories came from. Broadhurst's photo is credited "courtesy of Mr. Broadhurst." The Schrock article runs with a photo of the 1976 park dedication. Pictures like these survive because someone kept them.
Two displays that came from somebody's closet
The Society's donations page shows how the physical collection is being built. One display holds donated World War I and World War II uniforms and medals. Another is a wall display of Silver City history.
The page labels the uniforms and medals a donation. That's the model for the whole building. Each item that comes in through a donation becomes part of the story the museum tells, and an item that stays in a garage tote stays out of it.
Donations follow a set process. Every donated item needs a signed Deed of Gift Agreement, which is posted on the Society's site. Money donations help pay for exhibit supplies, technology and a bigger collection. The same page has an order form for bricks and pavers on the Society's Historical Walkway.
How to visit
Here are the posted details from the Society's About page:
- Hours: Thursday and Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Lunch break: Closed from noon to 1:00 p.m.
- Appointments: Visits can also be scheduled by appointment at (405) 362-0362. Leave a message if no one picks up.
- Admission: Free, and donations are appreciated.
Volunteers keep the museum running, and the hours were posted earlier this year, so it's smart to call before you drive over. That matters most if you're coming with grandparents or a group. The Society's Facebook page is the other place to check for updates. The City of Tuttle's September 2026 newsletter promoted a fall grand opening and described it as a celebration of "120 years of Tuttle's history."
A Thursday-and-Friday schedule makes a weekday afternoon easier than a Saturday. If you're showing out-of-town family around, a quick stop at the Old Station gives them the town's backstory in less time than lunch takes.
Where your own Tuttle history fits
The Society says it welcomes new members and volunteers, and here's how to get involved.
- Go through what you already have. Old Main Street photos, school pictures, business ledgers, military items and family letters are all things the Society says it collects. Call before you bring anything in and ask for the Deed of Gift Agreement.
- Record the story along with the object. The Society asks for "personal stories" as well as artifacts. Write down names, dates and the street or farm where something came from while the people who remember are still around to tell you.
- Join. An annual membership costs $15, and a lifetime membership is a one-time $200.
- Go to a meeting. The Society meets at City Hall on the fourth Tuesday of every month at 6:00 p.m. City Hall is at 221 W Main St.
The Society's work also reaches other parts of town. The September city newsletter promoted "Moments That Made US" at Tuttle Public Library, an America 250 exhibit that includes Tuttle Historical Society photographs and information on Tuttle's connections to historic events. Call the library to see if it's still up. The same newsletter puts Home for the Holidays downtown on Thursday, December 3.
The Society's own record of the town begins with lots selling for $25 to $40 on a townsite platted in 1901. The museum holding that record is in a building J.B. Sloan put up 20 years later, and the Thursday and Friday hours are the simplest way to see it.
If you're clearing out a family home before a sale, set aside the old photos and papers for a call to the Historical Society before anything goes to the curb. When you're ready for the next step, Trey and Stephanie Real Estate can help you prep and list the house. Ready to buy or sell? Give us a call.
